An unplanned
- yet – beautiful trek to SARASGAD via TAMHINI GHAT!
It
was 14th August evening. Me and my friend Pravin Aru decided to go
for a bike ride in Tamhini Ghat the next day 15th August. We started
our journey at 5:45 in morning from Chandni Chowk on our Bike. For Tamhini Ghat
we have to go straight from Chandni Chowk towards Paud - Mulshi side. We had
planned to see Tamhini in the morning itself and return as soon as possible as
the number of tourists go on increasing. As it was Saturday + Independence Day
holiday so to avoid rush it was important to go in morning itself.
Rains were pouring very lazily that morning as though they had a busy
week and were fatigued on weekend. As we left Mulshi the views were enchanting
– Sahyadri on all sides covered with mist. As we went further the mountains,
the jungles, the fog all were becoming denser. There was mystery filled in the
environment. It was as if we were entering into the unknown.
1
Scenery after Paud.
First look of Mulshi backwaters!
After
sometime the climate became even cooler and we started to feel cold. It meant
that we had reached the very beautiful Mulshi Dam backwaters! The backwaters
accompany us for a long time until almost the start of the Tamhini. The clouds
had descended every where on the valley floors . Fog was floating over the dam
waters. There were very green mountains with waterfalls everywhere and the dam
in between. I remembered the scenes from the Pirates of Caribbean movie where
they travel in ships in such misty waters. It was all dark for some time and
suddenly sun started shining from a gap in the clouds and the waters were
brilliant golden!!
Mulshi lake.
After some time driving
in the fog we reached the Tamhini village. After the village the ghat starts.
It is really awesome! Huge mountains surround us from everywhere pouring down
waterfalls of all sizes. There are some really huge waterfalls after we cross
the Dongarwadi village.
Tamhini ghat
Pictures of watrefalls enroute.
Heaven!!
Though the Tamhini ghat
ended we decided to go further towards Konkan side. We travelled until we could
see the plains below. The view from this point was one of the best thing I have
ever seen! On our backside there were mountains surrounded in mist and in front
of us was the vast rolling plains strecthing for miles. It was like the Alps in
Switzerland-Austria that we see in wallpapers/Bollywood movies – lush green,
rolling plains with forests and dissected farmlands all in green of vaious
shades. Only to be intercepted by lakes and rivulets with vilages in between
somewhere. And to crown it clouds were lazily hovering here and there.
Beautiful!!!
Konkan plains – stretching until the horizon!
The very first terda blossom of the season!
We had our
meal of Chapati Pithla at this spot watching the valleys below. We descended
down the whole ghat of 10 – 11 kms on the
Konkan side just to see the views. There were many gurgling waterfalls
here also on this side. After reaching down we enquired in a hotel for the
spots near by. He said that Pali is just 30 kms from here. From my previous
trek to Sudhagad I came to knew that Pali is the base village to Sarasgad Fort.
A thought struck me - Doing Sarasgad as we had enough time! Aru too agreed. And
we started our journey towards Saragad fort.
On the
way there there are thick jungles and rice fields everywhere. We could see
Sarasgad on the way – the pagdi shaped mountain. We reached Pali at 10
am after driving about 115 kms approx. But we were not fatigued at all driving
on such beautiful roads.
SARASGAD HISTORY AND INFORMATION :
Sarasgad (115 kms from Pune) is near the Pali town which is home to one of the
Ashtavinayak Temple. It was mainly used as a watchplace to check surrounding
region. It is near to Sudhagad – the major fort in this region. The fort is in
the shape of Puneri Pagdi (like the one worn by Lokmanya Tilak). Hence
it is also called pagdicha killa. It is at 490 m above sea level.
PLACES TO WATCH : the
111 steps leading to dindi darwaza, tatbandi, balekilla,
rock cut caves, water tanks (panyache take) and Shiv Mandir
on balekilla. Above all the panoramic views of surroundings from the top
is must watch. Sudhagad and Tail-baila can be seen from here.
Sarasgad with clear shape of pagdi
We started our trek after taking Darshan in the Ballaleshwar
Temple. Trek starts from back side of Temple – ask to any shopkeeper on the
way. The fort hill shape like the Puneri pagdi was becoming more clear.
The trek was a bit strenous as it was steep but the scenary was worth it.
Everywhere greenery and clouds!
Only a cute black cow dared to break the monotony of Green!!
There was a huge opening in the
mountain which contained the stairs. But to reach that we have to cross a
medium grade rock patch – although not too difficult but the rains had made it
so. The rocks were slippery. There is a rock cut cave on the base of mountain
here.
Staircase carved in mountain!!
Dindi darwaza on left.
After the rock patch there is the awesome staircase carved on
mountainsde in gap between two straight gorges. The staircase is circular and
rising;carved on one side of the mountin wall. The steps are too large in size
and number(111 steps). The height of steps is daunting. The stairs lead us to
the Dindi Darwaza. Inside the darwaza is devdi – the
resting place for guards of door.
The fort has very
litle space on top. The balekilla is small flat top hill standing on the
main fort. At the base of the balekilla there are numerous water tanks (taka)
and caves. The fort is secured by tatbandi on all sides. There is
another entrance to fort from opposite side.
Interior of one cave carved inside the mountain – it
consists of three chambered rooms connected with each other. Only pillars are
not removed from cave so as to transfer load of above rock to ground.
Now we proceeded towards the balekilla. The
trail was going through thick grass.
There is second rock patch
while climbing above. Finally we reached the top. The top is a flat. There was
lush green knee-deep grass everywhere. The neighbouring hill with 3 pinnacles
was enchanting. Finally we reached the Kedareshwar (Shiva) Temple with a
beautiful pond in front. The pond has lotus grown over it. Inside the temple
there are two rock sculptures belonging to ancient era.
Kedareshwar temple with pond full of lotus behind.
In front of the temple was
the best views of the surroundig valleys. Pali looked astonishgly beautiful!!
There was huge landscape below - hills, forests, clouds, fileds, villages, and
the river meandering like a snake cutting across the landscape. We stood there
for 20 mins trying to absorb the beauty as much we can. We were absolutely in the
moment!!! There was nothing else!!
Pali town from above
Scenery from above with clouds hanging below us!!
The temple is last
point on the fort. So finally we had to leave. I find descending more difficult
than climbing up especially on the rock patches. Finally we reached Pali and
had one small meal there. And left for Pune.
While returning there was lot of rush in Tamhini ghat. People were
shouting and playing loud music. People don't realise that this is also one
form of (sound) pollution and should not be done in wildlife areas.
We reached in Pune comfortably
by 6:30 in evening. After experiencing the best combination in world – SAHYADRI
+ MONSOON!!!
